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Tag: Judiciary

  • Kogi State Chief Judge inaugurates Council of Judges

    The Ag Chief Judge (CJ) of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi has inaugurated the first Council of Judges.

    This is in line with his promise to hit the ground running in repositioning the State’s Judiciary.

    He had, during his inauguration last week, promised to have such council so that major judicial decisions and pronouncements would be made by the council rather than just an individual judge.

    Justice Majebi disclosed the the creation of the Directorate of Training and Establishment when he met with all the Judges of the lower courts in the state comprising the Magistrates and Judges of the Area Courts.

    He lamented the poor financial situation of the High Court at the inauguration, expressed confidence in Governor Yahaya Bello to arrest the situation.

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    The Ag CJ who promised to run a collective administration with other Judges said the functions of the Council of Judges were already well spelt out.

    Justice Majebi clarified that Judges at the headquarters would be performing supervisory roles over other Directorates.

    He said decisions taken by the Council would be at the expense of any personal or individual interests or sentiments but only in the best interest of both staff and the institution he added.

    The Judicial head in Kogi noted that strengthening the institution to withstand the test of time was what the Council, which also had its inaugural session before his meeting with the lower court judges, had resolved. The Council’s initiatives would be targeted at preparing a better future for all.

    The Acting CJ informed of the resolve of his administration to ensure transparency, accountability, dedication, commitment and professionalism that would be couched on collective engagements for the progress and sustenance of an enduring institution.
    He said the overall objective was to dispense justice effectively without fear or favour within the ambit of the constitution and the laws of Kogi State and Nigeria under a very conducive environment.

    He also mentioned at the interactive session that no staff of the Judiciary would be denied his or her entitlement just as he demanded for compliance with extant rules, regulations and procedures of the court by every staff to enhance a holistic approach to achieving the Court’s core mandate of dispensing Justice fairly in the state.

    While admitting the challenges posed by the poor financial situation of the institution, he promised his determination to ensure transparency in the management of the funds accruable to the Court.

    He said the financial status of the organization would be periodically made public while there would be regular meetings with staff through the Judges to evaluate progress made.

  • Corruption Allegation: Senate President asks C’ttee to wade into crisis rocking Judiciary

    Corruption Allegation: Senate President asks C’ttee to wade into crisis rocking Judiciary

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has mandated the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to, as a matter of urgency, wade into the crisis presently rocking the Judiciary.

    Lawan gave the directive on Wednesday, moments before the chamber adjourned plenary.

    He said, “We may recall that there were some issues coming out of the Judiciary.

    “We must have interest in what is happening in that arm of government.

    “I believe that we owe it to Nigerians, to look into what is happening in that arm of government, with the view to bringing solutions to the problem that our Judiciary in Nigeria faces.

    “So, I’ll urge our Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, to get involved with the CJN and Judiciary generally – at this level with the Supreme Court – to find out what the real issues are; and how the National Assembly can help.”

    Recently, 14 Justices of the Supreme Court leveled allegations of corruption against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed.

    The Justices, in a memo, protested the non-payment of legitimate entitlements by the CJN.

    According to them, annual foreign training, meant to enhance capacity building for the country’s judicial process, had been blocked.

    They also protested the non-replacement of poor vehicles; accommodation problem; lack of drugs at the Supreme Court clinic; epileptic electricity supply to the Supreme Court; increase in electricity tariff; no increase in the allowances for diesel; lack of internet services to residences and chambers, amongst others.

  • Take action against attacks on judiciary – Wike urges NBA

    Take action against attacks on judiciary – Wike urges NBA

    Gov.Nyesom Wike of Rivers has urged the leadership of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to go beyond issuing of statements, to taking concrete actions against attacks on the nation’s judiciary.

    Wike gave the charge during the book presentation in honour of Justice Mary Peter-Odili as part of activities marking her retirement from the Supreme Court of Nigeria and her 70th Birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.

    Wike, who disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Kelvin Ebiri, his Special Assistant on Media, expressed regrets at the NBA’s lacklustre approach to social change, saying it was more of a disservice to the nation and exposed it to contempt.

    He also expressed disagreement with some speakers on Thursday’s valedictory court session organised in honour of Justice Odili.

    The speakers had blamed politicians for the challenges that the judiciary suffered.

    The governor alleged that the Federal Government had in 2016, unleashed premeditated midnight raids on judges’ homes, including the Justices of the Supreme Court, in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Kano, Enugu and Sokoto states.

    He noted that when judges were lacking in courage and integrity, they easily gave up to improper pressure, influence and control, and the entire judiciary suffered.

    Wike assured that if elected the President of Nigeria in 2023, he would work with the National Assembly to prioritise the welfare of judicial officers, including the provision of official cars and life-long accommodation “as being done in Rivers”.

    Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Peter Odili, noted that Nigerian judges were among the best in the world, but they were never treated right.

    Justice Odili, who was also the first lady of Rivers, between 1999 and 2007, expressed delight that some of her judgments had been published for the public to assess.

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, described Justice Odili as an epitome of humility.

    Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Onueze Okocha, SAN, noted that Justice Odili served the country meritoriously, honourably and without blemish to her character.

    Governors present at the event were Dr.Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa); Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Sen. Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).

  • MURDER: Court sentences Ekiti prince to death by hanging

    MURDER: Court sentences Ekiti prince to death by hanging

    A 42-year-old prince, Ademola Omoniyi, has been sentenced to death by hanging, by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, for killing a traditional ruler of his community.

     

    Omoniyi was arraigned on one count of murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.

     

    The charge read, “Ademola Stephen Omoniyi on August 20, 2018, at Odo Oro Ekiti in the Ikole Ekiti Judicial Division, murdered His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Ibitoye Olowoselu ll, the Onise of Odo Oro Ekiti in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.”

     

    A chief who testified before the court said, “We were at the palace on that day for the Onise-in-Council meeting around 7am. Before the commencement of the meeting, Ademola Omoniyi entered the palace and sat on kabiyesi’s seat, but the chiefs frowned on his action and drove him away.

     

    “After the meeting, the late Onise, in the company of his male clerk, was trekking back to the main palace when Ademola came out of his hiding and attacked kabiyesi with a knife on the road and stabbed him to death. Before that day, he had been parading himself as the king of the town.”

     

    To prove his case, the state counsel, Adegboyega Morakinyo, called five witnesses and tendered a medical report, statements of the convict, a knife and a rope, among others, as exhibits, while the convict spoke through his counsel, Tope Salami, and called no witness.

  • Salary: Oyo judiciary workers stay away from work

    Salary: Oyo judiciary workers stay away from work

    Judiciary workers in Oyo State, on Wednesday, called on the state government to ensure prompt payment of their salaries to ensure efficiency.

    The workers told NAN in Ibadan that some of them stayed off their offices because of the recurrent delay in salary payment.

    The entrance gate to court premises and some offices were open for commencement of work after the Eid-el Fitr and May Day holidays.

    However, some workers stayed away from their various duty posts, while others, who were present, sent their colleagues home to ensure that none of them was around.

    Chairman of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in the state, Mr Kayode Matins, confirmed the delay in payment of salary of his members.

    Matins said that although the union was not on strike, many of the workers could not transport themselves to and fro work because of lack of money.

    “We agreed that those who can afford to come to office should do so, as we are all managing the situation,’’ he said.

    The chairman added that the union was making efforts to seek stakeholders’ help on what the workers could do to ensure prompt payment of salary.

    One of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, decried the delay in salary payment, adding that they needed to draw the attention of the public to the development.

    “The reason judiciary staffers are saying off work is because of delay in payment of their salaries, which has been on for a while.

    “The workers no longer have money to transport themselves to and from work, and this has been affecting our productivity.

    “While staffers of other parastatals have collected their April salaries, those in the judiciary have yet to collect theirs.

    “The delay in salary has been on since December 2021. We received March salary on April 17,’’ the staff member said.

    The worker further said that the action was to draw government’s attention to the irregular payment of their salaries.

    “If we receive our salaries today, we will resume work immediately. We have been appealing to the state government for long but nobody is telling us the reason for the delay,’’ the staff member said.

  • Gov. Ayade presents vehicles to Judges, says they deserve a better life

    Gov. Ayade presents vehicles to Judges, says they deserve a better life

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Wednesday in Calabar while presenting new vehicles to newly appointed judges in the state, stated that they deserve a better life.
    The Governor handed over the keys of the vehicles, to the State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme.
    While presenting the cars, Ayade said that the judiciary was an arm of government that gives hope to the common man.
    “I am here to make a presentation of cars to our judicial officers; the vehicles that befit their status, because I have seen that the Nigerian judiciary is a dependable arm of government,” he said.
    The governor told Justice Ikpeme that the presentation of the vehicles afforded him another opportunity to once again thank the judiciary for dispensing justice without fear or favour.
    “I am particularly happy, and also using this opportunity to express gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary generally for standing on the side of the law.
    “Against this background, the people of Cross River want to show appreciation to the judiciary. On behalf of the government and people of Cross River, I hereby present these jeeps to you,” he said.
    Responding, the Chief Judge, commended the governor for the gesture and pledged the judiciary’s commitment to justice delivery.
    “Our governor, with joy, on behalf of the judiciary, I receive the keys to these brand new vehicles. I want to say that on behalf of the judiciary, I appreciate this gesture.
    “We have new judges and you have thought and deemed it fit to give them these cars.
    “We thank you very much and on our side, we will continue to work for the betterment of the state, as far as justice delivery is concerned,” she added.
  • Judiciary open to initiatives in handling cases… – CJN tells U.S. delegation

    Judiciary open to initiatives in handling cases… – CJN tells U.S. delegation

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad has said that the Judiciary is open to initiatives aimed at improving and strengthening the capacity of its officers in the handling of cases on emerging crime trends in the country.
    Mr Ahakura Isah, the Senior Special Assistant on Media, quoted Muhammad as making this known when he hosted a U.S. delegation led by Ms Mary Leonard, Ambassador to Nigeria.
    Some of those emerging crimes, the CJN said include cybercrime, cross-jurisdictional infringement of Intellectual property rights, and cases related to cybersecurity and espionage.
    He added that judges in the country require training on block technology and online dispute resolution as it affects e-commerce which is becoming a challenge due to inadequate awareness of technology and technical abilities and capacity.
    He requested for workshops that would border on Copyright Law in the new digital environment for judicial officers and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards relating to intellectual property disputes.
    “Capacity building for our judicial officers is our priority, while the development of the capacity of our Research Assistants and other staff of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) who are fully involved in these training programmes, is also very important.
    ‘’I want to assure you that our doors are always wide open to welcome proposals that will be beneficial to the development of the Rule of Law and the overall growth of the Judiciary in Nigeria.
    “The NJI will never relent in its efforts to serve as the principal focal point of judicial activities on issues relating to the promotion of efficiency, uniformity and improvement in the quality of judicial services in our courts”, the CJN stated.
    Leonard, while responding said the visit was an opportunity to encourage the Nigerian Judiciary to continue collaborating with the United States Mission in raising the profile of intellectual property (IP) protection which is essential for Nigeria’s development and international partnerships.
    The US, she said is looking to increase its capacity-building engagement on cybersecurity issues, adding that her country is interested in continued collaboration with the Judiciary and courts through its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office (INL) and Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT).
    She hinted that the US was exploring how best to support Nigeria’s judicial processes during the 2023 elections.
    The Justices of the Supreme Court who accompanied the CJN to receive the delegation were Justices Olukayode Ariwoola, Inyang Okoro, Amina Augie, Ejembi Eko, Uwani Abba-Aji, M.L.Garba, H.M. Ogunwumiju, Abdu Aboki, Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel A. Agim.
    Others were the Administrator of NJI, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, President of National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, Secretary of National Judicial Council, Ahmed Gambo Sale, NJI Secretary, Abubakar Maidama and the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajio Sarki Bello.
  • Justice Dispensation: I didn’t blame Judiciary – Malami

    Justice Dispensation: I didn’t blame Judiciary – Malami

    Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, SAN, says he didn’t blamed the judiciary for delays in prosecution of high profile cases.

    Malami made this known in a statement by Dr Umar Gwandu, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Malami was reacting to the press statement by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), which in turn was a reaction to suggestions that the Judiciary was responsible for delays in prosecution of high profile cases.

    Malami said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government accords respect to the democratic provisions of the doctrine of separation of powers among the three independent and separate arms of government.

    The minister noted with dismay the way his response to a question in a recent interview was construed to evoke an unintended and non-existing inferences which some mischief makers projected him as blaming the judiciary.

    “It was an innocent statement aimed at showing and re-enactment of tripartite division of powers and responsibilities among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary,” he said.

    Malami said the Federal Government maintained the sanctity of the provisions of sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that delineate the roles and responsibilities of the executives, legislature and judiciary.

    “It is on this note that the Federal Government supported the review of Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to accommodate the provisions for financial autonomy of the state legislature and judiciary.

    “In addition to the Constitutional provisions, the Federal Government also came up with the Executive Order 10 to enforce the provision of autonomy of State Legislature and Judiciary.

    “It is on the record that the Buhari-led Federal Government has a record of non-interference with or meddling into the affairs of the legislature and judiciary”.

    He said that it was within the context of the quality and feature of non-interference by the Buhari-led Federal government and for the avoidance of sub-judice that he responded that high-profile cases were presented by the Federal Government for prosecution and the government came out with initiatives in its efforts to support speedy determination of justice.

    “This position was in consistent with the decision of the Court of Appeal in Hon. Abdullahi Maccido Ahmad v. Sokoto State House of Assembly & Anor, (2002) 44 WRN 52 where the Court Per Salami JCA held inter alia that;

    “The doctrine of separation of powers has three implications: that the same person should not be part of more than one of the arms or division of government;

    “That one branch should not dominate or control another arm. This is particularly important in the relationship between (the) executive and the courts;

    “That one branch should not attempt to exercise the function of the other…”

    The Minister said in view of the crucial role of the judiciary as an essential element of democratic system, the Federal Government gives attention to the budgetary provisions of the Judiciary in addition to welfare-packages meant to enhance their operations.

  • Bauchi State Judiciary investigates alleged N11.4bn fraudulent contracts by court officials

    Bauchi State Judiciary investigates alleged N11.4bn fraudulent contracts by court officials

    The Bauchi State Judiciary says it has begun investigations into alleged N11.4 billion fraudulent contractual agreements perpetrated by some court workers in the state.

    The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Rabi Umar, stated this at a news conference on the sideline of the inauguration of 31 Commissioners for Oath of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, on Tuesday in Bauchi.

    Umar said the judiciary had begun an investigation of some staff of the High Court who engaged in fraudulent contractual relationships with various companies worth N11.4 billion, without the knowledge of the authorities.

    She that the measure was imperative to check the decay in the judiciary.

    “The recent directive I gave for the investigation was the instances some staff of the High Court entered into a contractual relationship with various companies worth billions of Naira using a forged stamp, letterhead paper of the office of the Chief Registrar and forms without our knowledge, authority or consent as follows:

    “Daneejow N162,000,000 supplied 6,000 bags of rice; Nakuwa Nig. Enterprise N168,000,000 supplied 6,000 bags of rice; Anieco Global Synergy Ltd. N1,080,000,000 to supply 4,000 laptops.

    “Kommy Foods and Braids LTD N2,200,000 to supply 1,800 bags of ric; Y.K. Priority N3,100,000,000 to supply 10,000 Lady’s motorcycles; Task Systems N1,100,000,000 to supply 500 units of laptops.

    “Mabs Resources Ltd. N5,750,000,000 to supply Keke NAPEP 500 Units; Rockchuks Resources International Ltd. N56,000,000 to supply 1,800 bags of rice and Khusufah Nig. Ltd. N50,400,000 to supply 400 bags of rice.

    “In an instance where the victims of the fraudulent activities complained directly to the EFCC, the staff were investigated and charged to court by the Commission and are currently standing trial.

    “Another similar instance was about four months ago, where some staff of the High Court defrauded a company from Kaduna State using forged documents of the High Court of Bauchi State.

    “The company petitioned them to the AIG Zone 12, Bauchi. They were investigated, charged to court by the police and subsequently remanded at the Correctional Service facility,” she said.

    According to her, all the fraudulent contractual transactions are being entered into by the staff to defraud innocent people with full support and active connivance of their godfathers operating behind the scene and sharing in the proceeds of the fraud.

    Umar said that there were some corrupt elements within the judiciary in the state who have had their personal forms, receipts and stamps, using their boys to deprive the state government of revenue and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

    She said that the staff perpetrating these acts do so with the active connivance, support and encouragement of their godfathers who now resort to using religious sentiment to cause disharmony between the High Court and the Sharia Court of Appeal.

    The judiciary, she said, had introduced new court forms with security features in line with modern trends obtainable in most states and jurisdictions to check the menace of corruption and revenue leakages.

    “We have printed court forms with security features, such as affidavits, probate and other necessary forms, after we have observed with dismay some disgruntled elements among our staff have their personal forms, receipts and even stamps which they use and convert the money to their personal use, thereby depriving the government of revenue.

    “The Chief Registrar and Chairman Board of Internal Revenue Service met and agreed on the modalities that a certain percentage will be paid to the High Court to defray the expenses of printing the security forms while bulk of the revenue will be remitted to the state government.

    “After commencing the process, the revenue generated by the High Court in the months of November and December 2021, recorded significant improvement, all of which remitted to the account of the state government,” she said.

    Umar expressed dismay over rumour being peddled by self-seeking individuals to disrupt the noble course of sanitising the court of corrupt personnel.

    “I was amazed when my good intention to move the state forward was twisted by some disgruntled elements with mischievous intention started spreading rumour and raising false alarm that I appointed a Chief Registrar who is a Christian to undermine the religion of Islam.”

    Umar said that her religion enjoined her to be fair and just to all manner of people, irrespective of their belief, creed or tribe.

  • Reps Judiciary C’ttee condemns siege at Abuja Residence of Justice Peter-Odili

    Reps Judiciary C’ttee condemns siege at Abuja Residence of Justice Peter-Odili

    …demands thorough investigation

    The House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary on Sunday condemned the last Friday’s siege on the Abuja residence of the Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, by law enforcement officials.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Onofiok Luke, the Committee described the invasion as ” a Repudiation of the Judicial Independence and an assault on the Sanctity of the Nation’s Judiciary

    According to the Committee, this unfortunate development is also a wake-up call to tighten administrative and supervisory control over the operations of law enforcement agencies in the Country

    ” To this end, we empathize with the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation who is constitutionally accountable for the actions and inactions of the law enforcement agents that purportedly executed the said warrant, placing on the AGF, the unavoidable burden of defending his office before the populace

    ” On this note, the House of Representative Committee on the Judiciary calls for a discreet investigation to unravel the persons behind this ignoble act, which is capable of straining the existing relationship between the Judiciary and the Executive arms of our democratic government.

    The Committee while condemning in totality such ignoble action pledged to every effort at ensuring the sanctity of the nation’s judiciary and assured its continuous support to the independence of the nation’s judiciary.

    According to the Committee, ” it is
    mind boggling that in the dusk of 29 October 2021, the Judiciary was once again exposed to public opprobrium, due to the uncanny manner in which the residence of the Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was invaded by law enforcement officials purportedly on an assignment to execute a search warrant, issued by a Magistrate

    ” Also disturbing is the fact that the said warrant was revoked by the issuing Magistrate who had discovered that it was procured by the Applicant on the premises of misrepresented facts”

    “As a Committee currently interfacing with the Judiciary for an improved judicial reform and justice system, we wish to lend our voice once again, to the repeated call by His Lordship; the Honourable Justice Tanko Muhammed CJN, on all Judicial Officers on the need to exercise more caution in issuing ex-parte, conflicting and questionable orders that are capable of bringing disrepute to our Justice system

    “The siege, is reminiscent of the 2016 incident, where in the beat of the night, security agencies invaded private residences of judicial officers, which subsequently turned out as an underserved phenomenon, and a dent on our professed independence of the judiciary, and demanding protection for our judges

    ” As we already know, the judiciary harps on due process in dispensation of justice and the House Committee on the Judiciary avows to collaborate with the judiciary and relevant stakeholders to secure the nation’s democracy, since the confidence and respect of citizens in the judiciary may likely wane if incidence of this nature continues unchecked”